The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1918, Page 58

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58

others find national greatness depending upon the
high culture of a country’s people; and still others
would have the greatness of a country determined
by the victories upon the battlefield. But God tells
us that it is righteousness that exalts a nation, and
He also tells us that nothing so surely makes for
righteousness as does the Gospel of Christ Jesus.
Yes, truly, every one that is made a Christian by
the Gospel is thereby also made a good patriot. The,
Christian, you know, is one who observes all things
which Christ has commanded, hence also willing
obedience and service to the Government. In spread-
ing Christ’s Gospel, we are therefore rendering our
country the greatest possible service. We are in-
creasing the number of those who are obeying the
country’s laws and serving its interests, not by com-
pulsion, but willingly for conscience’ sake. By

preaching the Gospel to men, we shall be creating

a citizenship that will serve its country, not because
of outward coercion, but because the spirit of Christ
dwells in them, and because they feel the compulsion
of that love which. bids them serve the best interests
of their country and countrymen wherever and when-
ever opportunity offers itself. Devotion to Christ
always means sympathy for others; hence devotion
to Christ also means a love deep and sincere for
one’s country and one’s countrymen.

» Many a man-that shouts for “Old Glory” to-day
and grows frantic with ecstasy when he hears “The
Star-spangled Banner,’”” may be utterly selfish at
heart, being only patriotic because of the advantages
it may bring him; but the true Christian, he who
is fully imbued with the unselfish spirit of Jesus,
is-a patriot, not because of what he can get out of
it, but because of what he can put into it. Not
he is a desirable citizen who selfishly uses condi-
tions to enrich himself at the expense of his country-
men; but he is indeed a true patriot who will use
present opportunities to preserve unto his fellow-
countrymen all the glorious’ blessings his country
affords. Instead of making it harder for men to
enjoy the riches of our country, instead of aiming

at monopolizing its blessings for himself, the Chris-
tian patriot’ will put as many as he can in the way
of sharing in his country’s‘riches and glories.
So, fhen, you see that the very love for your
country is an encouragement to carry out the com-

_ mand of Christ to preach the Gospel, the only means

by which God makes Christian-patriots. As truly
» as you love your country, as sincerely as you desire
its welfare, just so earnestly should you strive to
spread: the Gospel among your countrymen, since

The Lutheran Pioneer.

the Gospel of Christ is also the power of God unto

good citizenship, unselfish patriotism, and unswery-
ing loyalty to the best and highest interests of your
country and your countrymen.

May the Lord strengthen our patriotism, and
give us strength and zeal to do what lies in our
power that all our countrymen may become truly’
patriotic and loyally American in thought, word,
and deed. FJ. L.

pee

Heaven.

The last statement of the Third Article reads:
“T believe in the life everlasting.”

I’m but a stranger here,
Heav'n is my home;
Earth is a desert drear,
Heav'n is my home;
Danger and sorrow stand
Round me on every hand;
Heay’n is my fatherland,
Heav’n is my home.

According to their souls all believers will, after
their death, be at once present with Christ. There
is no dreadful purgatory, where departed Christians
are being cleansed by fire from their sins. On the
contrary, Christ held out the assurance of instant
entrance into heaven to the penitent malefactor,
who surely should have gone to purgatory on account

"of his heinous sin, if such a place existed. When he

believingly implored the Savior, “Lord, remember
me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom,” he re-
ceived the consoling, precious answer: “Verily I say
unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with Me in para-
dise.” Nor is there a text found in the Bible which
mentions this imaginary state or place of purifica-

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tion after death, purgatory, which is merely an in- 4

vention of the Roman Catholic Church made for

the purpose of extracting money from the people.

When Paul expressed his “desire to depart and be -
with Christ,” he evidently did not ‘count on being

tormented in this place of purgation from impuri-
ties. How sweet is the hopeful assurance which we

derive from the words (Rev. 14,13): “Blessed are

the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth!”

After the last day all believers will be with Christ,
body and soul, and live with Him in eternal joy and
glory. Although we have plenteous forgiveness even
here on earth by faith in Jesus, we are not yet perfect
while we live here below.
shall be sinless like the angels. St. John writes to

the Christians: “Beloved, now are we the sons of ~

God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be;

In heaven, however, we ©

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